Two counselors in Chicago, Sandee Plescia and Kathy Kressner, took 52 au pairs to Disney World for a fast pace, guaranteed to see all 4 parks in 3 days, trip. This is the 6th annual trip and the au pairs love it!
It was a magical time for all.
Tag Archives: au pair
Valentine's Day
February 14 – Valentine’s Day is a time of love, friendship, giving, and caring. Americans use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to tell friends and family how much they care. Children usually exchange cards at school. Everyone wants to know they are thought of and loved AND this is the day to show it. Some show it by giving a card other’s show it by giving candy or a small gift.
Be sure to check out the following link for things to do and make this Valentine’s Day — http://www.aupairinamerica.com/resources/calendars/#14
February 7- Super Bowl Sunday!
February 7- Super Bowl Sunday!
The Super Bowl is the annual American Football championship and a popular time for friends to gather in front of the TV. Each year millions of people watch the game, the half-time show – or just the commercials! People will be talking about the commercials for days. A HUGE part of this day is the FOOD especially snack food. This is a great time to really connect with your host family. Why not offer to make a snack from your country prepared by you and your host children. You might even want to make a football “Trivia” game to play with your host children while the adults are watching the game. If you have some ideas to make this day fun for the kids please share them with us. To learn more about football visit the “Life in the US” section of this website http://aupairinamerica.com/resources/life_in_the_us/football.asp
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day is February 2nd.
Groundhog Day is held on Feb. 2, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania every year, and you might be wondering how a groundhog landed the job of predicting the weather. If you’re unfamiliar with the tradition, it goes like this: If the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, sees his shadow, we’re stuck with six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow, we luck out with an early spring.
The tradition dates back to 1887, and though the origins are unclear, it is said to have originated from ancient Europe. It also has religious origins, as it shares similarities with Candelmas Day, which is also today. There is an old English saying, “If Candlemas be fair and bright,/ Come, Winter, have another flight.
Here are fun facts about Groundhog Day:
1. Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow the overwhelming majority of years
2. The National Climatic Data Center reportedly stated that Phil’s prediction’s have been correct 39 percent of the time. This number is in conflict with Phil’s followers, who claim he’s been correct every year.
3. Following the release of the movie Groundhog Day in 1993, starring Bill Murray, as many as 30,000 made the trip to visit the tiny hill in Punxsutawney where the ceremony takes place.
4. Groundhogs typically live only six to eight years
Holiday Gift Ideas for your Au Pairs!
If you are planning on giving your au pair a gift this holiday season, but haven’t made your decision yet, here are some ideas:
- Stationary to write friends and family back home
- A SunTrek gift certificate for a trip your au pair may be planning with SunTrek-1-800-SUNTREK
- A framed photograph of her with the children
- Gifts certificates for photo albums and printing of pictures
- Hat and mittens
- A hand-made gift by the children such as a framed card, picture, painting, jewelry, etc.
- Personalized or engraved gifts
- Personal items such as bubble bath, lotion, special soaps, etc.
- Books especially a picture book of the US or a guide book for a place she is planning to visit
- Gift certificates to theatre, restaurants, store to purchase personal items, etc.
- Phone card
A special note regarding gift giving…….
Holiday gift giving in the United States may seem overwhelming to Au Pairs. The quantity of gifts given to the children and the commercialization of this holiday season may be quite different from their experiences. Au pairs are not in a position to purchase expensive gifts so encourage your au pair to participate in this holiday season by possibly sharing a dish from her home country, baking cookies, etc.
Please feel free to share any ideas you may have!
Chanukah
Also known as the Festival of Lights, Chanukah starts at sundown today and lasts for eight days. It is a celebration of religious freedom based on historical events of more than two thousand years ago. It is traditional to exchange gifts of gelt (Yiddish for money) in the form of real coins or chocolate wrapped in gold foil, to play a game of put-and-take with a four sided top called a dreidel, and to light candles each night. Traditional foods include donuts and potato pancakes. See www.holidays.net/chanukah/index.htm for more information, recipes, and crafts.
Fun with Gingerbread!
Gingerbread is an important part of many cultures’ holiday celebrations. Read the story of the Gingerbread Boy and have fun making gingerbread cookies!
Visit the library:
Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett; The Gingerbread Boy by Richard Egielski; The Gingerbread Man by Eric Kimmel; The Cajun Gingerbread Boy illustrated by Berthe Amoss
Head to the kitchen!
- Preheat oven to 350 F
- Sift together in a large bowl:
- 3 cups of flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon each of cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, and nutmeg
- Beat together in a smaller bowl:
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 6 Tablespoons butter
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Stir the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for an hour.
- Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface and cut out cookies.
- Bake on a greased cookie sheet for 7-10 minutes
- Place on rack to cool and then decorate
Directions to making a Gingerbread House
You need: a paper plate, milk or orange juice carton, graham crackers, different candies to decorate with, and frosting. To make the frosting beat egg whites from 2 large eggs with an electric mixer at high speed. When foamy add 2 1/2 cups of powder sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well with each addition. This takes about 7-8 minutes. Frosting will be very stiff and white. Frosting will dry fast, so if not using right away cover with a damp towel and refrigerate. Enjoy!
Au Pair's have fun making gingerbread houses!
St. Nicholas Day is December 6
Germany celebrates St. Nicholas Day on December 6. Children leave a shoe out on the evening of December 5 and the belief is that during the night St. Nicholas goes from house to house putting candies and presents in the shoes of children who were good all year and twigs in the shoes of the children who weren’t.